What School of Science and Technology does

School of Science and Technology (SST) is a tuition-free, STEM-focused Texas public charter school network operated by Riverwalk Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. Founded in 2005, SST has grown to 26+ campuses serving Pre-K through 12th grade students across three Texas metropolitan areas — San Antonio (9 campuses), Houston (8 campuses), and Corpus Christi (4 campuses). The network delivers a curriculum anchored in Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards, supplemented by Project Lead The Way (PLTW) career pathways in Engineering, Biomedical Science, and Computer Science beginning in third grade, with specialized academic tracks including Honors for All, Accelerated, and AP coursework. Supporting programs include a Gifted & Talented program, ESL, Special Education, College/Career/Military Readiness (CCMR), and a 6-Year Academic Plan enabling students to earn up to 42 college credits. Both SST districts hold 'A' TEA Accountability Ratings, and 100% of graduates are reported accepted to four-year universities.

SST's business model relies primarily on Texas state per-pupil funding tied to Average Daily Attendance, rather than local property taxes. Tuition is free for K-12 students, with paid Pre-K offered at $8,730 annually (or 10 monthly payments of $873). Free Pre-K is available for qualifying students meeting state-defined eligibility criteria. Admissions are managed through a virtual lottery on the SchoolMint platform, with campus tours and open enrollment applications as the primary demand-generation channels. Student and family technology integrations include SchoolMint (enrollment), Skyward (student records), ParentSquare (district communications), and SchoolCafe/Nutrislice (meal management). The network's student demographics skew toward underserved populations (approximately 75% minority, 55-60% economically disadvantaged), positioning SST as a college-prep pathway for families who would otherwise lack access to private STEM education. The operating entity is governed by an unpaid volunteer Board of Directors with academic expertise from the University of the Incarnate Word and the University of Texas at San Antonio, led by Superintendent/CEO Fawzy Shemshack.

Name

School of Science and Technology

Legal name

Riverwalk Education Foundation

Website

https://sstschools.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Short description

School of Science and Technology is a nonprofit Texas public charter school network operating 26+ tuition-free, STEM-focused Pre-K through 12th-grade campuses across San Antonio, Houston, and Corpus Christi, funded by state per-pupil attendance dollars and operated by Riverwalk Education Foundation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Charter School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter STEM/STEAM-Focused Schools (EDAJACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Magnet & Specialty Schools (STEM/Arts/IB/CTE) (EDAJAAAF), Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA)

Keywords

• STEM education
• Public charter schools
• K-12 education
• Tuition-free schools
• Texas charter network

Headquarters

HQ city

San Antonio

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices24 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Per-Pupil State Funding: SST is a publicly funded charter school. Receives funding through the State of Texas based on average daily attendance (ADA). For each day that a student meets state school attendance requirements, SST receives funding. Does not receive local tax funds.
2. Paid Pre-K Tuition: For students who do not qualify for free Pre-K, a paid Pre-K program is offered at $8,730 annually or 10 monthly payments of $873 each.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

School of Science and Technology is a tuition-free, nonprofit public charter school system that delivers STEM-focused education from Pre-K through 12th grade. It operates across 23+ campuses in San Antonio, Houston, and Corpus Christi under the Riverwalk Education Foundation, with revenue primarily from state per-pupil funding and a paid Pre-K option.

Product overview

School of Science and Technology (SST) is a tuition-free, STEM-focused public charter school network operating as a unified K-12 educational platform across Texas. The core offering is STEM-focused education from Pre-K through 12th grade, supported by specialized programs including Project Lead The Way (PLTW) with Engineering, Biomedical Science, and Computer Science pathways; Honors for All and Accelerated academic tracks; AP/Pre-AP coursework; and a 6-Year Academic Plan enabling students to earn up to 42 college credits. Additional offerings include free and paid Pre-Kindergarten, College/Career/Military Readiness (CCMR) services, Gifted & Talented, ESL, and Special Education programs. The network operates 23 campuses across San Antonio, Houston, and Corpus Christi, including dedicated College Prep high schools. Student and family-facing technology integrations include SchoolMint (enrollment), Skyward (student records), ParentSquare (communication), SchoolCafe (meal accounts), and Nutrislice (menus).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SST Discovery District: A subset of SST campuses operating under district code 015831, including Discovery, Advancement, Hill Country, Northwest, Sugar Land campuses.
• SST District

Products and services

• Pre-K through 12th Grade STEM Education Program Tuition-free STEM-focused public charter school education serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade across multiple campuses in Texas.
• Paid Pre-K Program Pre-kindergarten program offered on a paid basis, providing early STEM exposure as a feeder into the K-12 charter pathway.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% college acceptance rate
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• HEB - Corp 568minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026San Antonio business partner supporting SST schools through Partners In Education program.
• Bobbin Case EmbroideryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026San Antonio business partner supporting SST schools through Partners In Education program.
• JostensminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026San Antonio business partner supporting SST schools through Partners In Education program.
• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers C122minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026San Antonio business partner supporting SST schools through Partners In Education program.
• XP EsportsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026San Antonio business partner supporting SST schools through Partners In Education program.
• AmazonminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Amazon and WeLoveU Foundation provided mural at SST The Woodlands, receiving Education Empowerment Award.
• WeLoveU FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026WeLoveU Foundation and Amazon provided mural at SST The Woodlands, receiving Education Empowerment Award.
• Lowenberg Law FirmminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Houston business partner supporting SST schools through Partners In Education program.
• Island Breeze Jamaican RestaurantminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Houston business partner supporting SST schools through Partners In Education program.
• T-Max DesignminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Houston business partner supporting SST schools through Partners In Education program.
• ReadyNamicminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Houston business partner supporting SST schools through Partners In Education program.
• Lassing ServicesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Houston business partner supporting SST schools through Partners In Education program.
• Eternal Gandhi Museum HoustonminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Houston business partner supporting SST schools through Partners In Education program.
• Texas Premier Security Inc.minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Houston business partner supporting SST schools through Partners In Education program.
• Memorial Baptist ChurchminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Houston community partner supporting SST schools through Partners In Education program.
• Sheriff JC Hooper, Nueces CountyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Corpus Christi partner receiving Advocate Award through Partners In Education program.
• Physicians PremierminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Corpus Christi business partner supporting SST schools through Partners In Education program.
• Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures & Education CenterminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Corpus Christi partner receiving Education Empowerment Award through Partners In Education program.
• Members First Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Corpus Christi business partner supporting SST schools through Partners In Education program.
• Dr. Audrey YoungminorOthers · 1 January 2026State Board of Education Member serving as Houston Emcee and receiving Advocate Award.
• Texas State Representative John LujanminorOthers · 1 January 2026Receiving TPCSA's Charter Champion Award for advocacy supporting charter schools.
• Councilwoman Misty Spears, District 9, City of San AntoniominorOthers · 1 January 2026Receiving Education Empowerment Award for District 9 advocacy.
• Councilman Marc Whyte, District 10, City of San AntoniominorOthers · 1 January 2026Receiving Advocate Award for District 10 advocacy.
• Senator Adam HinojosaminorOthers · 1 January 2026Senator's office providing support and sharing certificates to Top 10 Seniors.
• Representative Denise VillalobosminorOthers · 1 January 2026Receiving TPCSA's Charter Champion Award for advocacy supporting charter schools.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• KIPP Texas Public Schools: Texas charter network operating college-preparatory K-12 campuses in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, and Austin, targeting similar underserved demographics. Closely comparable to SST in mission, tuition-free public charter model, and outcome-driven college acceptance focus.
• Uplift Education: Texas-based nonprofit charter operator running Pre-K-12 college-prep campuses in Dallas-Fort Worth, with a network model comparable to SST's multi-region Texas footprint and STEM/college-prep orientation.
• Great Hearts Academies: Charter and independent classical liberal-arts school network with strong Texas presence (San Antonio, Houston, Dallas) emphasizing rigorous college-prep education. Comparable to SST in multi-region Texas operations and K-12 college-prep model.
• IDEA Public Schools: One of the largest Texas charter school networks, operating K-12 campuses across San Antonio, Houston, the Rio Grande Valley, and other regions with a strong college-prep focus. Directly comparable to SST in target market, STEM emphasis, and per-pupil public funding model.
• Harmony Public Schools: Texas-wide STEM-focused charter school network serving predominantly low-income and minority students across K-12. Highly comparable to SST in STEM curricular differentiation, Texas geographic concentration, and college-prep orientation.
• International Leadership of Texas: Texas public charter school network serving K-12 students with a focus on leadership and global studies. Comparable to SST as a multi-region Texas charter operator serving diverse student populations with rigorous college-prep curricula.
• YES Prep Public Schools: Houston-based charter network operating K-12 college-prep campuses with strong outcomes for low-income students. Compares to SST on Houston market presence, public charter funding model, and outcome-driven college acceptance metrics.
• BASIS Charter Schools: Network of charter and independent schools known for rigorous STEM-focused, college-prep K-12 curricula. Comparable to SST in STEM emphasis, accelerated academic tracks, and AP-heavy curriculum, though BASIS leans tuition-charging versus SST's tuition-free model.

Others

• SchoolMint: Enrollment management platform whose SchoolMint Connect application is used by SST for virtual lottery admissions. Included as an ecosystem participant powering SST's enrollment workflow rather than a competitor.
• Texas Charter Schools Association: Industry association representing Texas charter operators. Relevant to SST as the advocacy body providing Charter Champion Awards and political support, contextualizing it within the broader Texas charter ecosystem rather than as a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sstschools
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCgq8fVo7odcb9RWzF-YiemA
• Facebookfacebook.com/sstpublicschools
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/school-of-science-and-technology
• Instagraminstagram.com/sst.publicschools

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries21 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about School of Science and Technology